How To Get Rid Of Fruit Fly Fast: Guide To Combating Fruit Fly Infestation

Fruit flies are notoriously famous for invading homes; their ability to infiltrate and gain access into homes, and multiply within a very short time has made the process of permanently getting rid of them a very strenuous one. Although these insects do not pose any threat to health as they prefer fruits and sugary substances over blood, their presence can be quite frustrating.

Fruit flies are characterized by their relatively tiny size, and they occur black and tan color. They require fermented substances such as fruits, vegetables and beer, to feed and reproduce, which is the reason why they often infest houses. In the absence of these primary substances needed for their survival, they stick to garbage, dirty drains, and moist areas to salvage what they can from the organic materials present there and keep creating a nuisance in homes.

Having found a nest to feed and breed, the adult female fruit fly has the capability to produce up to 500 eggs within its short lifespan and so getting rid of them is a tough process. Nonetheless, there are efficient methods with which one can effectively get rid of the pests and so we have decided to put together an article that offers an insight into the causes of fruit fly infestation and effective ways to get rid of them quickly.

What Causes Fruit Fly Infestation.

Ripened fruits

This is the main cause of fruit fly infestation as they rely on fermenting substances for feeding and breeding. The have highly developed senses that help them locate ripening fruits or vegetables, and their small size gives them an advantage of having easy access to homes.

Sometimes they catch a ride on groceries bought from stores and then develop and multiply after gaining access into homes. Ripened fruits and vegetables are literally what attracts fruit flies the most, and an individual should be on the look out for where these ingredients are in the house once you notice their presence.

Drains & Garbage

Fruit flies often use drains and garbage as an alternative for their breeding and feed on organic materials there, incases where there are not fruits or food materials where they can breed on. This is equally as efficient for them, and it takes only a little amount of time for them to develop into full-fledged colonies.

Drains also offer them stagnant water, a condition that is favorable to their breeding and so to avoid this, drains should be cleaned to avoid moisture and garbage should be properly disposed or kept in plastic bags which hinder the access of fruit flies.

Moist substances

Apart from ripened fruits, vegetables, drains and garbage fruit flies also have the ability to survive and reproduce in harsh conditions as long as there is moisture and minute organic materials to feed on.

This includes empty cans of food, open bottles, unwashed plates and rags just to mention a few. They can survive in extreme conditions and so effectively getting rid of them requires positive lifestyle changes that involves regular cleaning and in some cases going the extra mile.

Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Store food items properly

It is a well-known fact that food items are the main attractors of fruit flies especially fruits and vegetables, as they offer them suitable conditions needed for their survival. And so efficiently getting rid of them requires measures that would deprive them of such conditions.

Storing of fruits, vegetables and other food items that can be preserved in a refrigerator should be done immediately until these pests are completely gotten rid of. Also, canned food should be properly disposed off when used and covered if left over for future usage.

Use of Essential Oils

Essentials oils such as peppermint oil, lavender oil, and basil oil have been found to be very efficient is getting rid of fruit flies due to their strong smells.

This strong smell repels these insects thus keeping them away from food substances and generally homes. To use this method, the essential oil can be put in small containers and covered, but the containers should be opened a little to allow external emission of the smell of the oils.

It can then be placed in strategic areas around the house and in areas where fresh fruits and food items are found to help keep fruit flies away.

Regular cleaning of homes

Fruit flies can survive on Moist areas and organic materials as long as they have access to it. Drains, stagnant water, dirty dished and garbage all create a condition that aids their survival and so should be properly taken care of.

In literal terms drains should be cleaned and dried after use, dishes should not be left for long, garbage should be properly disposed of, stagnant water should be thrown away, and moist clothes or rags should be taken care. This combined with precautionary measures such as storage of food items properly guarantees getting rid of fruit flies fast.

In cases where the infestation of fruit flies are undeterred when the above practices have been employed, more stringent measures can be used to get rid of fruit flies quickly. A well-detailed analysis of this methods is given below.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies With Apple Cider Vinegar

Step 1:

Get pure unmixed apple cider vinegar in container with its top exposed. It is advised to get a small container so as to make the process easy. The apple cider vinegar attracts the fruit flies.

Step 2:

Cover the head of the container with a plastic bag and seal the sides with a rope or a rubber band.

Step 3:

Poke tiny holes in the plastic bag to serve as entrance to fruit flies without giving it enough space for them to escape.

Step 4:

Dispose the trapped insects and repeat the process to get rid of them.

HOW TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES WITH VINEGAR

Step 1:

Get a small container and half fill with pure vinegar. It is important for the vinegar to be unmixed so as for it to emulate the smell of fermented fruits and attract fruit flies.

Step 2:

Mix the vinegar with a small amount of dish soap. The function of the dish soap is to trap the fruit flies when they come in contact with the mixture.

Step 3:

Place the mixtures in places where the fruit flies are noticed, preferably overnight and watch it capture this insects.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies With Sundew Plant

The use of sundew plant is another subtle but yet very effective approach to getting rid of fruit flies very quickly. The plant is carnivorous in nature and so helps take care of fruit flies infestation. The process is given in details below.

Step 1:

Plant the sundew in gardens around the house or near windows and areas where the fruit flies are commonly found.

Step 2:

The plant plays its role by capturing the fruit flies through its sticky body and feeds on them.

Step 3:

Keep the plant healthy and strong by watering it and it will help you get rid of fruit flies and other insects that might be pestering your home.